Illinois school districts that have struggled for decades under Illinois’ education funding formula may soon see increased funding under legislation to implement a new funding model supported by State Senator John G. Mulroe (D-Chicago). Illinois is currently ranked worst in the nation for school funding.

“I proudly supported this measure, which will provide additional funding to public schools, with special attention given to those in need,” Mulroe said. “Education is supposed to be the great equalizer, but under our current school funding formula, it is not. Senate Bill 1 will ensure that high-poverty school districts that have been shortchanged for years would see greater funding to level the playing field.”

Senate Bill 1 implements an evidence-based model for school funding, which accounts for factors such as students with disabilities, English language learners and low-income students. It provides additional support for the neediest districts in the quest for adequate funding. Illinois currently operates under a school funding formula that has not been updated in 20 years and relies heavily on local property taxes. Under Senate Bill 1, high-tax school districts are also eligible for property tax relief up to 1 percent of their EAV.

No school district would receive less funding under Senate Bill 1 than they have received under Illinois’ current school funding formula.

An analysis of Illinois State Board of Education figures released by Funding Illinois’ Future, a school funding reform advocate, shows potential funding increases for all local school districts in the tenth Senate district under Senate Bill 1.

State Senator John G. Mulroe supported a measure to return local control to community members by establishing an elected school board in Chicago. Chicago is the only city in Illinois without an elected school board.

“I cosponsored this bill because I strongly believe that school boards should be representative of the communities they serve,” Mulroe said. “This legislation will ensure that parents, concerned citizens and community activists have a chance to run for school board and influence the direction of CPS.”

Currently, the Chicago Board of Education is composed of seven members who have been appointed by the mayor of Chicago and serve four-year terms. Chicago has operated under a mayor-appointed school board since the late 1990s.

House Bill 1774 establishes a Chicago elected school board consisting of 15 members. Members will be elected every four years beginning in the 2023 consolidated election. Under this legislation, CPS employees and contractors would not be able to serve on the board.

“Maryville contributes so much to our communities and the 10th Senate District,” Mulroe said. “I am happy to support their efforts to expand operations and help more medically-fragile children and their families.”

House Bill 763 would increase the number of children allowed to receive treatment at Maryville Children’s Healthcare Center under the Alternative Health Care Delivery Act. The legislation will now return to the House for approval of the Senate’s changes before it can advance to the governor’s desk.

Maryville Children’s Healthcare Center cares for children that depend on medical technology, such as ventilators, and other medically fragile children. The center trains parents to provide a smooth transition when a child returns home after hospitalization.

“I look forward to seeing the positive impact this legislation will have on families and the neighborhood,” Mulroe said. “I will continue to work with the House and governor’s office to ensure that this legislation becomes law.”

State Senator John G. Mulroe (D-Chicago) issued the following statement on today’s budget votes in the Illinois Senate:

Today, I voted for a complete and balanced budget to end the historic 692-day budget impasse. It includes revenue reforms and spending reductions that result in more than $3 billion in savings. The Senate has also passed a number of non-budgetary reforms, such as pension reform, term limits on Senate leadership, procurement reform and local government consolidation. In addition, the Senate is working on other requests made by the governor, including workers’ compensation reform and a property tax freeze. The impasse has had a detrimental effect on Illinoisans across the state, and it is past time for Illinois to pass a balanced budget.

The budget plan that passed the Senate today will provide fiscal stability and certainty for Illinois families, businesses, social service providers, schools and universities that so many have been clamoring for. It will end the practice of adding $11 million in unnecessary debt each day that has been the case during the impasse. This is a responsible budget plan that will provide the fiscal stability that our state needs.